Category: Articles

Little wonder that a plant so boldly decorative in outline and bearing a flower of exquisite coloring so marvelously formed should make its strongest appeal to the artistic Japanese. From these foremost gardeners of the world has come a strain of irises that neither orchids nor lilies can rival in beauty of form, texture, coloring, markings, and general effectiveness. In the Mikado's garden, under ideal cultural conditions - that is to say, in rich, warm, sunny, alluvial land - the blossoms will measure from nine to twelve inches across their flat petals. Around the shores of those miniature lakes and streams in which the Japanese gardener, however humble, delights, the irises are no less lovely because a small garden demands that they be of lesser size. Every one appreciates the iris in Japan. Therefore, on the most costly cloisonné and ceramic, as well as on "many a vase and jar, on many a screen and fan," whose decorator may receive only an eighth of a cent for his sketchy painting, this flower, imperial and democratic, is the most familiar. For the artist, at least, its valu [...]

There are new frontiers to explore in the flower garden and you are advised to keep a wide open eye on the new varieties of iris. They help you to recapture that delectable thrill of discovery and accomplishment. Cover photo by Shostal Studios of New York. The adventurous soul finds precious few frontiers left to explore these days. An emphatic exception to the rule is the adventurous gardener, but rarely does even he find a more fruitful and expanding horizon lhan in iris growing. Topnotch plant suppliers compete in breeding the biggest, the most decorative, the most colorful, the tallest, or the most versatile iris of the year, hoping to win the attention of the average gardener, or even capture the sought-after Dykes Memorial Medal. The new soft pink and clear red varieties in the tall bearded class have caught the imagination of iris beginners and enthusiasts. Happy Birthday, a flamingo pink, and Mary Randall, a rich rose pink, polled second and third in the American Iris Society's annual popularity contest. These run fairly expensive, up to $7 [...]

INTRODUCTION

In 1922 AND 1923 the American Iris Society published abbreviated check lists (Bulletins 4 and 8) of Irises considered to be in commerce but omitting, for reasons of expense of printing, several thousand older Irises that were believed to be obsolete. Research, however, has been continued and this present work attempts to publish all that is know about Iris names that have appeared in gardening literature during the last hundred or more years. The officers have felt that this information which had been compiled by much hard work, was of great value for students and ought to be placed in permanent and available form.

Before the abbreviated lists were published, seven typewritten editions appeared in the years 1919 to 1921. It is from the seventh edition that much of the material in the present list has been drawn, but continued research has brought to light much additional information. Many new species and hundreds of [...]

Up to about 1910 the Iris in American gardens were loosely known as Flags or German Iris. The word German came from the plant Linnaeus had named Iris germanica, because it had been sent to him from a German garden. It was to be seen in many gardens blooming in mid-May along with Florentina and a purple self similar to what we now know as Kochii. In early June in New England there were to be seen such varieties as Albert Victor, Flavescens, Aurea, Honorabile, Mme. Chereau, Victorine, Neglecta, Sambucina and Jacquesiana.

Most of the persons who had these in their gardens did not know these names or their origin. They were just “flags” and they bloomed year after year with little attention.

Between 1910 and 1920, new varieties began to appear in European and American catalogs. The [...]

In 1925, popular garden magazine ‘The Flower Grower’, asked its readers for input as to the best 25 Iris for American growers, regardless of color, price or rating. Mr Robert Wayman, well regarded iris collector and commercial grower responded with his list of 25. The list gives us some interesting insights into what constitutes a ‘good’ iris in those days. Here is Mr Wayman’s response published in Oct 1925 by ‘The Flower Grower’.

“In the list given below, while I am ignoring price, I am not including the very expensive recent introductions, which have not yet proven themselves entirely reliable. All of those mentioned are perfectly hardy, free flowering, easy to handle, and are quite dependable. There are one or two that require special care, but this is noted and they are worth it.

• AMBASSADEUR: This variety, in my opinion,.comes at the head of the list, having received a rating by the American Iris [...]

The 1991 National Convention showed us more than a few Siberian Irises in bloom, many of which were gen-u-ine antiques. Since several of the tour garden owners are active HIPS members, it is not surprising that a number of older Siberians are grown in Region 4.

For example, Caesar’s Brother was seen blooming uniformly well in almost every tour garden – further evidence of what a stellar performer it is! I found several beautiful oldies which I had ‘seen’ only in print and I came away with at least a dozen of these antiques on my 1991 iris Want List. How wonderful that Siberian cultivars don’t go “out of Style;” that the form and color of Nigrescens (1875) is just as pleasing as any of the more recent offerings – that Nigrescens is a proven survivor is a real plus for the Sib fancier.

Back to the subject at hand: OK, so beauty is in [...]

Reprinted from the Flower Grower, July 1937

Crown Jewels are always the finest in the realm. The famous Koh-I-Noor diamond now graces the crown of England’s queen, and many another famous gem has found a permanent home in a royal crown. Just as the lapidarian chooses with infinite pains the most perfect jewels for a crown, so I have selected for my “Royal Fifty”, iris of the most enchanting shades and blends and the most perfect form and texture.

I have grown and tested every worthwhile variety that has appeared in the last quarter century, more than three thousand in all. I have raised additional thousands of seedlings, the result of my own hybridizing. The fifty varieties offered below represent those which have survived every test I could give them. They are the “Crown Jewels of Irisdom”.

BLUE VELVET: 46″ The entire flower seems to be cut out of velvet; the color is an intense [...]

Carl Salbach, one of the great iris hybridizers of the early part of the 20th century wrote an article for Better Homes and Gardens, June 1930, describing the bearded iris, and its culture, including popular ‘modern’ iris suggestions in all colors for the home gardener. So what were Mr. Salbach’s selections? Following is an excerpt from that article, and all of his picks are included here.

Remember this is 1930. How many of these varieties are still in existence today?

He tells us that the color range and combinations are limitless. The lavender and lavender-blues are most numerous. ANN PAGE, CLARIDAD, CONQUISTADOR, LADY FOSTER, LEONATO, SAN GABRIEL and SANTA BARBARA are all good examples. GOLD CREST and MIRANDA are fine violet-blues of medium height and fine for mass effect, while MADAME GAUDICHEAU, a deep violet-blue adds to any garden.

AMBASSADEUR, with bronzy [...]

Beauties of the New Irises (1958)

There are new frontiers to explore in the flower garden and you are advised to keep a wide open eye on the new varieties of iris. They help you to recapture that delectable thrill of discovery and accomplishment.

by Ruth R. Spira

The adventurous soul finds precious few frontiers left to explore these days. An emphatic exception to the rule is the adventurous gardener, but rarely does even he find a more fruitful and expanding horizon lhan in iris growing. Topnotch plant suppliers compete in breeding the biggest, the most decorative, the most colorful, the tallest, or the most versatile iris of the year, hoping to win the attention of the average gardener, or even capture the sought-after Dykes Memorial Medal.

Cover photo by Shostal Studios of New York.

The new soft pink and clear red varieties [...]

When you consider the totality of irises recorded in the 1939 and 1949 Check Lists, you realize just how few from that number we’ve managed to preserve. When you consider importance, though, the picture changes for the better. Of the significant output from the first half of the last century, many of the key parents and a good number of the popular varieties are “in captivity” and in circulation once again.

And yet…a few belles of yesteryear remain elusive. After this passage of time are they truly extinct or do they exist somewhere awaiting rediscovery? The older the iris, the greater chance it has moved to the ranks of unknown/unidentified, hanging on (if we’re lucky) in old gardens, in rural or isolated communities, or “gone wild” along country roadways. The varieties from the 1940s offer a better chance of rediscovery with names attached.

The following roster, arranged from oldest to most recent, is a misssing-person [...]